Top Jobs after MBA in Canada: A Complete Guide To Job Opportunities After MBA in Canada for International Students

Stay Back Options After Completing MBA in Canada

Before we delve deep into the job opportunities after MBA in Canada, let us briefly discuss the stay back options for international students. Since you will already have a valid Canadian student visa while pursuing your MBA in Canada, the next step will be to apply for a post graduation work permit (PGWP). 

The PGWP allows students who have graduated from designated learning institutions (DLI) to stay and work in Canada temporarily with a maximum stay back period of 3 years. Students can leverage this time to  look for suitable jobs that match their skill sets and their career aspirations.  This will also help them  gain valuable work experience in Canada that can be used to further seek employment inside the country or any other country outside Canada.

SUGGESTED: All you need to know about Post-graduation work permit in Canada for international students

Job Opportunities After MBA in Canada from Top Business Schools

Students prefer to get into top business schools for pursuing MBA in Canada because there is a higher possibility of finding jobs with assistance from the university. Coveted institutions in Canada boast of high employability rates with graduates employed at some of the top recruiters with promising career prospects. The average salary after MBA in Canada is 110,000 CAD/ year. Infact, the Executive MBA program is the best paying degree in Canada with an average annual salary of 155,000 CAD.

When we talk about top recruiters for MBA graduates in Canada, the following companies are surely on the list:

• Microsoft
• EY
• InBC Investment Corp
• General Mills
• Google
• IBM
• Morgan Stanley
• Amazon
• RBC Bank
• Siemens
• Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
• Deloitte

The average salary of MBA graduate in Canada from top universities is a point of discussion. Take a look at the table below to know more about the salary in Canada after MBA from top universities according to the QS Global MBA Rankings 2022:

SUGGESTED: Find out more about the best MBA Colleges in Canada

Popular Specializations and Jobs in Canada after MBA

The MBA universities in Canada offer a variety of specializations wherein some are more popular among students because of their job and salary prospects. Let us take a look at the job prospects for the popular ones:

MBA in Finance

Featuring the largest finance sector, Canada continues to attract finance graduates. There are mainly 3 subdivisions within the MBA in Finance specialization i.e. banking, investments and corporate finance. With this specialization you will be prepared for a career in several fields such as corporate finance, corporate treasury, investment banking, asset management, risk management, etc.

MBA in Marketing

MBA in Marketing is related to an analysis of customers and markets and adding value to products and services through marketing strategies. Your job will be related to advertising, market research, project management, marketing, consulting, brand and product marketing, etc.

MBA in Human Resources

By earning an MBA in Human Resources, you will be a key person in the organization with responsibility to recruit, train and manage human resources. There is a significant demand for HR professionals in Canada which makes it a popular specialization for pursuing MBA.

MBA in Operations and Supply Chain Management

MBA in Operations and Supply Chain Management will equip you with concepts in business analytics, production and operations management, micro and macro economics, process improvement, quality assurance and more.

MBA in International Business

There is a wide scope when it comes to jobs in Canada after MBA in international business. This specialization prepares you for high paying managerial jobs in top firms which is why it is a popular choice among international students.

Related Discussion: Which MBA Specialization is in demand in Canada?

Tips for Job Search After MBA in Canada

In order to land a desirable job after MBA in Canada, you must start preparing from the day your program begins. Here we have listed a few tips that will help widen your scope after MBA in Canada:

• Personal Networking: Personal networking plays an important role in helping you find jobs. As an international student, you are bound to take some time to adjust with the curriculum and complexities of the program but that is the same time you will meet a lot of people.
  
  
• Internship Opportunities: Keep your eyes open at all times and look for internship opportunities that will add value to your CV. Participate in job shadowing to see what exactly the job role will be.
  
  
• Profile Building: Focus on building an impactful career profile which speaks for itself. Make sure you are diligent with your academics and achieve high scores so that employers themselves are willing to offer you the job.
  
  
• Career Portals: You can use online job search portals, social media, recruitment agencies, university’s career center, career events, job fairs, etc. to check for any vacancies.
   
• Up-to-date CV: The first thing that an employer notices is your resume. So make sure you tailor your resume and keep it updated with any academic or professional achievements, skills, work experiences, etc.
  
  

ROI After MBA in Canada

MBA in Canada is a big investment for the future. Therefore, it is prudent to look into the return on investment beforehand. Let us first understand what you are investing in? The biggest slice of your financial investment will be taken by tuition fees. Your secondary costs will be your cost of living in Canada that consists of direct and indirect expenses such as accommodation, food, transportation, books, laptop and personal expenditure on shopping, entertainment, etc. 

The average annual tuition fees for MBA in Canada is somewhere between 28,000 CAD and 117,500 CAD. Compared to this, the salary after MBA in Canada is around 97,000 CAD per year. This means you will be able to cover the primary cost of an MBA in Canada in the initial years of your career. So, it is surely a winning deal!

Few factors that you must consider before investing in an MBA are:

• An MBA is a long term investment. No doubt it will reap benefits but you can’t expect the returns immediately after earning your MBA.
• Over the years it is likely that you will rise to the top managerial positions of a company.
• Some people hold back from doing an MBA because of the financial commitment that it demands. But you will be holding back a big pay cheque by not earning an MBA.
• The ROI for an MBA in Canada also depends on how much importance your sector places on an MBA degree. Such as for finance and consulting firms, an MBA is quintessential for getting placed in a top firm.
• Keeping in mind your starting salary of MBA in Canada for the first few years, it will take less than 4 years to recover the initial investment.

From the above discussion, it is safe to say that an MBA in Canada will lead your way to global opportunities. Given the scope after MBA in Canada, professionals from other fields also see this degree as a way to advance their careers. People in careers with no scope of advancement feel stuck at a point which is when an MBA enables a smooth transition into a management or executive level position. With ample jobs after MBA in Canada for international students, it is definitely a lucrative career option.

Frequently Asked Questions About Jobs After MBA in Canada

1. What is the average salary of MBA in Canada per month?

Ans. The average salary of MBA in Canada per month is 9,160 CAD per month.

2. What are the top MBA specializations in terms of average salary after MBA in Canada?

Ans. The top MBA specializations in terms of average salary of MBA in Canada are Finance, Marketing, Human Resources, International Business, Operations, Supply Chain Management, etc.

3. What are the most popular jobs after MBA in Canada?

Ans. Some of the most popular jobs after MBA in Canada are Business Analyst, Financial Manager, Project Manager, Operations Manager, Marketing Manager, Business Development Manager, Investment Analyst, etc.

4. How long can an international student work in Canada for jobs after MBA?

Ans. An international student can work for a maximum period of 3 years in Canada after completing a 2-year MBA program. For programs shorter than 2 years, the stay back period will depend on the course duration.

5. Is it worth doing an Executive MBA in Canada?

Ans. An executive MBA in Canada is worth doing if you are looking for a salary increment. With an executive MBA, you will be one of the highest paid professionals in Canada with an average annual salary of 155,000 CAD.